NAMMA TOILET - COMMISSIONERATE OF MUNICIPAL

ADMINISTRATION (CMA)
• Background
In the cities of Tamil Nadu, where awareness was not an issue; existing facilities were found
to be insufficient and unsuitable for use by all. Problems such as unplanned spaces, selection
of construction material, leaking taps, broken toilet pans, inaccessible toilets, lack of
ventilation, clogged networks and insufficient water and electricity were prominent. A
multidisciplinary team including sanitation experts, architects, industrial designers, branding
and communication specialists and material experts was formed to look into various aspects
of urban sanitation. As a result, a universal toilet design ‘Namma toilet’ was designed
keeping in mind user needs and aspirations. Namma toilet is an initiative by the
Commissionerate of Municipal Administration (CMA), Government of Tamil Nadu. It is a
user-friendly toilet accessible to all type of users - men and women, children, the elderly and
differently abled.

• Location, Date
Tamil Nadu, 2012

• Areas
Urban

• Stage/Scale
Pilot converted to full scale model

• Objective of the assignment

The aim of the project was to make the state open defecation free by 2015. They believe that
the solution lies in mapping the areas where open defecation is still being practised,
providing facilities wherever the need arises, and putting in place, a mechanism to maintain
these facilities.

• What was done

• The Commissionerate of Municipal
Administration has designed a universal toilet
for the urban residents of Tamil Nadu, especially
the urban poor at large. After an intensive
exercise that was spread over 6-8 months, the
Commissonerate has developed a universal
design toilet that is truly meant for the user of
the toilet. These toilets can be used by the entire
population without any prejudice; they can be
used by able bodied men, women and children
as well as the elderly and disabled.

This case study was curated by the India Sanitation Coalition

 • The emphasis from the beginning was
to provide a facility to the user that is
barrier free and gives a feeling of
openness without compromising on
safety and security. The toilet module
is pre-fabricated such that it can be
easily installed onsite in the shortest
time. The body of the toilet stall is a
single mould without joints and the
interiors are seamless – no sharp
edges and corners to avoid dust
accumulation and enable easy
maintenance. Adequate lighting, vandal resistant fixtures and accessories and motion
sensor lighting powered by solar panel are other distinguishing features of the stall.
Each touch point within the toilet stall has been finalized keeping in mind the user of the
toilet.
• These toilet stalls can either be standalone units or can be assembled together to form a
row of toilets or even an entire toilet compound with minimum masonry work.
Therefore, we intend to create a demand based deployment of these toilets; these can
serve as neighbourhood toilets, family toilets, public toilets, community toilets and
integrated sanitary complexes.
• Based on availability of space and need, the toilet can be erected as a standalone unit
shared by a family, assembled to form a row of toilets serving a group of families or the
floating population and even an entire complex for the community. The toilets are very
well ventilated and give a feeling of openness, without compromising on privacy. The
fitting and fixture are vandal resistant, durable and user-friendly. Each toilet stall is
powered by a solar panel that is installed on the roof. During the day, the solar panels
charge the battery, and when it is dark, the stalls are lit with motion sensor lighting. The
first ‘Namma Toilet’ was built at Tambaram bus station, Chennai, which has received a
very good response. In addition to the unique design of these toilets, their success has
also depended on the involvement of the local municipality and toilet caretakers. The
state government will build more toilets across the state as a part of its initiative to
provide safe sanitation to the people.

• Impact
• Tambaram Municipality and Sri Rangam of Trichirappalli Corporation have been
selected for implementation of the Universal design toilet on pilot basis. Two men toilet
units, one women toilet unit, and one disabled friendly/elderly person Toilet unit have
been provided with urinals in locations in Tambaram.
• More than 2500 NAMMA toilets were built across different villages in Tamil Nadu in last
5 years. This has resulted in the increase in health quotient of the local people by solving
a sever issue of open defaecation.

• Challenges and Issues

In the initial days of the project, it was difficult to attract people to use NAMMA toilets. Also,
the design aspects of the toilet made it slightly challenging to install the toilets at lower costs,
which was one of the major concerns at that time.

This case study was curated by the India Sanitation Coalition

• Innovation
• Namma toilets use prefabricated modular stalls which can be assembled at the site in
minimal time.
• During the day, the toilets get sunlight while the solar panels charge the battery, and
when it is dark, the stalls are lit with motion sensor lighting.
• Most importantly, the toilet stalls do not have sharp corners that often accumulate dust
and dirt. The interiors are seamless and can be easily cleaned with the help of a water
jet.
• For treating the waste water, it has been proposed to provide a range of options to suit
site specific conditions. The usage of recycled flush water is also being emphasised.

• Lessons learnt
The result of the work of the team was a universal toilet, where every element was designed
keeping in mind the user. It was named “Namma Toilet” to inculcate a feeling of ownership
and pride in users. “Namma Toilets” are prefabricated modular stalls and can be assembled
at the site within a short period. Based on local needs and availability of space, the toilet can
be put up as a standalone unit shared by a family, assembled together to form a row of
toilets serving a group of families or the floating population, and even an entire complex for
the community.

• Financials
• During the year 2012-13, the Government has sanctioned a sum of INR 8.19 crore for
construction of 333 units of well-designed differently abled user-friendly toilets in
public buildings in 108 Municipalities.
• During 2012-13 a sum of INR 50.89 crores was released to the Corporations and
Municipalities for the improvement of 652 existing toilets and construction of 404 new
toilets with special initiatives like universal designs, e-toilets, and waterless urinals to
conserve water.
• This scheme was continued during the year 2013-14 at a cost of INR 50.00 crore.

• Economic sustainability/Revenue Model

“Namma Toilets” are provided on a need-based approach after consultation with the local
stakeholders. Community-based organisations are encouraged to create their own “Namma
Toilets” through locally available materials. The success, however, depends on the collective
effort of authorities as well as communities who will have to eventually own these toilets.
These toilets won’t generate revenue on their by - products, users have to pay for it once the
system is commercialized.

• Implementer Contact Persons

• Mr. Chandrakant B. Kamble
Commissioner, Commissionerate of Municipal Administration, Government of Tamil
Nadu

• Sources and References

• http://cma.tn.gov.in/cma/en-in/Pages/Eradication-of-Open-Defecation.aspx
• http://www.thehindu.com/opinion/op-ed/tamil-nadu-flush-with-
pride/article4654453.ece

This case study was curated by the India Sanitation Coalition

• https://wn.com/'namma_toilet'_by_the_railway_tracks_english_version
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TpneOCpufnw
• http://www.umcasia.org/images/issues/3nsw6x4uJaldarshan_English_final_revised_co
mppdf.pdf

This case study was curated by the India Sanitation Coalition